Australian Open - Magnificent Murray mauls Melzer

Eurosport - Sun, 25 Jan 16:04:00 2009

Andy Murray removed any doubts he was not a serious contender for the Australian Open title with a clinical 7-5 6-0 6-3 third-round demolition of Austria's Juergen Melzer.

Andy Murray, Australian Open 2009 - 0

The fourth-seed showed all of the composure, shot making and court coverage that has propelled him into the world's top four and made him one of the pre-tournament favourites.

"I thought I hit the ball really, really well," Murray said. "I took a lot of my chances. I made him do a lot of running and was very confident from the second set onwards."

The 21-year-old has already beaten Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on hardcourts in the past month and his confidence was no more evident when he sealed the second set with a nonchalant volley into the open court and continued walking to his chair.

Murray, who was taken to five sets by Melzer at the US Open last year, gave the Austrian no chance to repeat the experience with clever use of angles, audacious chips and drop shots and varying the pace of his returns.

"I just felt more confident going into the match," Murray said of his feeling before he went into the third round clash.

"I knew if I played well I felt like I could go on to win in three sets if I grabbed the first set.

"He's one of those guys that, when he's behind, he's dangerous because he doesn't think a whole lot.

"I think when it starts to get close against him and he starts thinking is when he starts to make more mistakes, like at the end of the first set.

"But when he gets ahead, you know, he can start serving well and he can get confident. The start was very important.

"I do think I played much better today than at the U.S. Open."

The victory secured a fourth round clash with Spain's 14th seed Fernando Verdasco, who thrashed Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-0 6-0.

"I haven't really seen a whole lot of his match," Murray said of the Spanish left hander.

"I think Stepanek, I don't know if he had something wrong with him or not, but he didn't look like he was particularly interested.

"Against Verdasco, I really have to use my head.

"I have a very good record against left handers. The only one I've lost to on the tour has been Nadal.

"I need to use my head, make him do a lot of thinking and moving (and) if I play like I did tonight, I can definitely win that one."

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Reuters

Comment 52 - 71 of 91

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  1. Rhymes,I think Murrays display was awsome,lobs,drop shots,whipped running forehands and sound volleys,I would say he is the games most improved player,When he puts his foot on the pedal,it looks like he can punch holes in anybody,so solid off the ground now.Today was a good measure of how far his game has improved even since he played Melzer at the US.

    From carlos480bc, on Sat 24 Jan 10:55PM

  2. .

    From carlos480bc, on Sat 24 Jan 10:49PM

  3. Lovely etherglide, donnybeck is obviously an illiterate @#$%...even a child would be able to find their way around a keyboard better than that definitive answer to Darwin's theory x

    From hazz2hazz, on Sat 24 Jan 10:26PM

  4. quit yer pish and support Andrew Murray...what's the matter wi you @#$%...still dreaming of john llyod, virginia wade, fred perry....ha ha ha C'Mon Andy!!!!

    From hazz2hazz, on Sat 24 Jan 10:17PM

  5. biggy...67, I can only assume that biggy is your ego...ya fanny

    From hazz2hazz, on Sat 24 Jan 10:09PM

  6. Donnybeck67- Dont. Just dont. Just promise you will never again touch your dads computer ever again. Leave his mouse alone. Find some alphabet bricks or a fluffy toy to play with.

    From Peter, on Sat 24 Jan 10:04PM

  7. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP AND MUCH MORE

    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From , on Sat 24 Jan 9:57PM

  8. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, FA CUP, CHAMPIONSHIP, CARLING CUP, LIGA, SERIE A, BUNDESLIGA, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - UEFA CUP AND MUCH MORE

    ALL THE HIGH-LIGHTS OF PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES

    From , on Sat 24 Jan 9:55PM

  9. Verdasco's an excellent player and clearly playing very well here, but it's a very tall order to expect him to beat Murray in this form, especially given the psychological disadvantage of their head to head record. Anything but a Murray win would be a big shock IMO. BTW, nice little down-the-line passing shot Murray played off an excellent Melzer volley in the 2nd game of the 2nd set. Even Melzer applauded, which is saying something, given the needle between these two. Me? I just checked the records to make sure Murray wasn't born on the 25th of December. Cheers

    From rhymes450, on Sat 24 Jan 9:17PM

  10. Verdasco will hammer him. Just wait. HAHA

    From IlDoctore, on Sat 24 Jan 8:41PM

  11. Like the title ! Next round should be more interesting, and Murray must be getting close to the mental level where he believes he can actually win this tourney, that would be AMAZING.

    From ispurs, on Sat 24 Jan 7:44PM

  12. I LOVE ANDREW MURRAY (AND THE TENNIS GUY TOO!!!!) X

    From c.smillie, on Sat 24 Jan 6:42PM

  13. POST 54 ALISON MERITT .686
    SLIGHT CORRECTION ALISON.
    "WHO ARE YOU" NOT YOU ARE YOU
    ALISON.

    From Nicholas, on Sat 24 Jan 5:58PM

  14. ARVIE POST 53
    SORRY ?
    ALISON.

    From Nicholas, on Sat 24 Jan 5:54PM

  15. ALISON MERITT . 686
    IS CORRECT AS USUAL INFACT 5-0
    ALISON.

    From Nicholas, on Sat 24 Jan 5:53PM

  16. ARVIE DO YOU PREFERE HEBREW CAPITAL LETTERS???

    From dorin c, on Sat 24 Jan 5:08PM

  17. ARVIE DO YOU PREFERE HEBREW CAPITAL LETTERS???

    From dorin c, on Sat 24 Jan 5:07PM

  18. It's all going to form, but when Monfils, Tsonga, Nadal, Federer, Murray, Djokovic and Roddick are left, its anyone's.

    From webbski, on Sat 24 Jan 4:58PM

  19. So what if someone used capitals you idiot !!! Not everyone is an expert when it comes to PC's like you !!

    Anyways good job Andy, im not even british but he has really improved and deserves to win the tournament.

    From paul, on Sat 24 Jan 4:58PM

  20. Matchcast Nadal bt Haas, NOT Verdasco! This people... ay, coño.

    From catalina, on Sat 24 Jan 4:57PM
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